CITY FOODSTUFFS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1906, 14 November 1913, Page 8

CITY FOODSTUFFS.

THE CHANCE OF A SUGAR BOAT. Mr. Tonks, manager of tho goods department of Messrs. W. M.--'l3aiinatync and Co., contradicts the statement that the wholesale houses advanced tho price of sugar, and emphatically states that both the grocers and Mr. Payne, M.P., were incorrect in stating* that'the Wellington Merchants' Association were responsible for an upward move in sugar. There was no agreement between merchants to do anything of tho kind, and all sugar, held in stock was divided pro rata among his firm's clients, and sold at the old prices. An endeavour is being made at present to get one of the steamers lying idlo in Auckland Harbour to load at tho Colonial Sugar-Pvefiniug Company's [works 'for'AVellington and southern ports. If this'is;not possiblo at the present juncture, a .quantity will be railed to Wellington, but, as the freight is much heavier than >by sea, tho sugar will be proportionately dearer to the retailer and to the .consumer! At the present time Wellington merchants could take a steamer load of sugar without over-stocking. Flour is in good supply. Local bakers have enough to keep them going for another sis weeks, and there is more in the bay, which can be secured when wanted. The steamer - John brought a cargo to Wellington, but failing tho opportunity to land it here went on to Wanganui and discharged there. It was railed on to Wellington, and is now..distributed among the bakers of tho City. Owing to tho increase in transit charges, the price of flour has advanced by £3 10s. per ton. '" There is an ample supply' of sa'go in Wellington, but rice is in short supply. Oatmeal and oatina is very scarce, but there should be no difficulty in getting supplies from Timaru when a steamer can bo manned to make tho trip. Golden syrup and treacle are also in short supply., There are ample' stocks of tea and coffee in Wellington, and in a way tho strike will do local packers no harm, as they will be free from outside competition until such time as normal trade conditions' aro resumed. ■